Connector for flexible key-rings.



U R. n. KNIGHT. CONNECTOR FOB. FLEXIBLE KEY RINGS.

APPLICATION FIL'ED 0012,1914.-

Patented Feb. 2, H315.

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RICHARD D. KNIGHT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAN'I).

CONNECTOR FOR FLEXIBIJll KEY-RINGS.

'- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD D. KNIGHT,

a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and usefulImpirovements in Connectors for Flexible Key-,

ings, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to connectors for the ends of flexible key rings and is an improvement on m prior Patent N 0. 674,7 75, and the object o the invention is to provide a connector for this purpose having two body portions, one being provided with a threaded hub to be secured into the other,

and a split spring ring located between the 80 With theseand other objects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 85 In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 illustrates the key ring showing my improved connector jo1ning the two ends. Fig. 2 is .a greatly enlarged view partlfy in section showing-the abutting edges 0 the two -body. portions, also showing the locking ring as partly inclosed by the under-cut ends of said bodyv members. Fig. 3 shows the end portions of the split locking ring and its' manner .of-engag1ng the teeth in the .46 under-cut portion of the body members.

Fig. 4 is a smaller section showing the swivel connection of the fiexiblering .to' the internally threaded body members. Fig. 5- is a sectional side elevation showing the swivel 60 connection to the. other body {member the same bein'gprovided with athreaded hub by which the two member'sfare" connected to- 'cave the edges 2-1 and 25 of the opposite getherl Fig. 6 is an end-view o'fthe m her shown in Fig. 5 looking in the direct on of the arrowwith the lock'ing-ring'showing Specification of Letters l 'atent.

Application filed October 2, 1914. Serial No. 864,580.

ends of the Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

the radial teeth therein. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the locking split ring. Fig. 8 is a smaller view showing theengaging ends of .the .split ring as off-set radially from a perfect circle.

Referring to the drawings 10 designates the flexible key ring which may be of chain or other suitable flexible material, the ends .of which are adapted to be joined together by the connector 11. In the construction of this connector I preferably form a collar 12 into which the end 13 of the chain is passed and connected by solder or otherwise. Thisicollar is provided with ahead 14, which is adapted to engage the inner shouldered end of the hollow or tubular member 15. In this member is secured, by solder or otherwise, the end 16 of the threadedhub 17. The opposite end 18 of the chain or flexible ring is connected to a similar collar 19 whose head 20 engages the inner end of the internally threaded con-' nector body 21. These ends may be readily connected together by simply screwing this projecting hub l7 into the body 21, in which case it will be seen that both'the collars l2 and 19 form swivels on which their body portions may be turned without kinking or twisting the'chain.

It is found in the practical use of the old style connector that the constant movement of the ring, on which a number of keys are strung, while in the pocket of the user,

. oftentimes causes the conneiitor members to loosen or'become unscrewed and when the hunch is removed from the pocket the ring is liable to come apart and valuable keys slip ofl and become lost, to the great annoyance of the user. To obviate thisvery serious difiiculty I have provided simple and effective means whereby these connector members are effectually locked or screwed together to prevent them from becoming inadvertently unscrewed and separated. To accomplish this, I haveprovided an annular recess 22 in the threaded hub into which a split spring ring 23 is passed by springing the same over the threaded portion. This recess as will be seen, permits the free action of this ring but at the same time prevents it from falling off when the parts are disconnected, and I also under-cut or com members 15 and 21 whereby when they are brought together-theover-hanging lip portions 26 and 27 project over the ring to partly inclose the same as presently described. Another reason for formin these teeth on the under-cut surfaces 0 edges, is to prevent the teeth from showing on the outer edges of the members, which would render them rough and objectionable. One side or edge of the teeth is beveled off as illustrated in Fig. 3 to permit the ends ofthe ring-to slide thereover when suflicient unscrewingstrain is brought to bear upon the parts.

I In the construction of my improved looking ringI off-set the ends 29 and 30 laterally, as indicated in Fig. 7, and also radially as indicated in Fig. 8, whereby when this ring is in position and the connector memfhere 15 and 21 are screwed together thee-verhanging edges 26 and 27 will engage the ends of this ring and squeeze the same latterally and also radially inward, which act1on exerts a double lockmg or engaging efiect on this ring to force its ends into the recess and effectually lock the members together to prevent them from inadvertently becoming disengaged one from the other.

By this construction the parts of my improved connector member may be locked t'O-r both hands upon the'parts, to unscrew the same.

causes the ends 29 and 30 of the ring to pass over the rounded or beveled'edges of the gether so that they' will never become unscrewed, released andseparated, except when considerable pressure is exerted by The force of this unscrewing action teeth 28 but efiectually prevents the memthese of said body portions being provided strain isexerted upon them.

I claim: l. A connector for the ends of a flexible key ring comprising-two body portions atbars-1 from separating unless, this" unusual tached to the ring ends'by swivel joints, one

with an extending threaded hub adapted to be screwed into the opposite body portion, said hub being recessed about the edge of its body portion, the edges of said body portions being corrugated or notched and a split ring in said recess having off-set ends .to enga e said notches for the purpose of releasab y securing the parts when screwed one of the body portions, the edges of both of said bodyportions being under-cut and notched, and-a split spring ring in said re"- cess and. partially inclosedin, said undercut portions, said ring having ofl set ends to engage said notches toreleasablylock the body portions togetheiz,

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD D. KNIGHT.

Witnesses: i

LOUISE L. BORDEN, HOWARD N'. KNIGHT. 

